The Elizabethtown College Bowers Center Demonstration Kitchen hosted Res Hall Recipes, an exciting, food-filled event for students on Thursday, Jan. 28. The Demonstration Kitchen entertains various functions, including cooking classes and nutrition-based discussions. On this occasion, Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG) employee Gabriella Stawinski taught attendees how to make […]
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The Elizabethtown College Bowers Center Demonstration Kitchen hosted Res Hall Recipes, an exciting, food-filled event for students on Thursday, Jan. 28. The Demonstration Kitchen entertains various functions, including cooking classes and nutrition-based discussions. On this occasion, Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG) employee Gabriella Stawinski taught attendees how to make peanut butter energy bites (protein bites), a dorm-friendly recipe while distributing samples of the finished product.
Stawinski placed all ingredients on the table, allowing attendees to see the products. After noting any allergy restrictions, she began to describe the recipe’s process. While Stawinski was explaining, students watched, casually nibbling on the sample snacks.
Stawinski described her thoughts behind demonstrating this recipe. She wanted to show an easily assembled snack while considering the students’ living situations. Focusing on inclusivity and different cooking comfort levels, Stawinski decided to make the protein bites.
“I decided to make these because they are very easy to make in a dorm room. You do not need any special appliances. If you have access to a bowl and some spoons you can create this recipe,” Stawinski explained.
Stawinski has taught at other Demonstration Kitchen events while working for SWAG. She enjoys helping students learn new cooking skills and exciting recipes.
“I really enjoy running Res Hall Recipes because it helps people become motivated to learn how to cook and make food for themselves. Everyone must start somewhere and making food does not have to be complicated…I hope that the attendees will learn that making healthy snacks can be easy and that there are endless ways to customize this recipe,” Stawinski said.
Res Hall Recipe attendee and junior occupational therapy student Kate Santangelo enjoyed Stawinski’s demonstration. She explained how she was excited to learn this enticing recipe.
“I attended this event because the recipe sounded delicious. Also, I love trying out new recipes and learning how to make new foods, so this sounded like the perfect opportunity for that,” Santangelo said.
Santangelo described her happiness about the event. In addition to having an enjoyable snack, she explained how Stawinski discussed helpful recipe alternatives.
“I not only learned how to make a delicious snack, but [Stawinski] also taught me about easy substitutions I can make to make my favorite foods a bit healthier and filling…My favorite part of the event was taste testing the peanut butter energy bites. I absolutely loved them and will definitely be making them in the future,” Santangelo said.
Santangelo hopes that students will consider joining future Demonstration Kitchen events. She explained the useful tools one can learn, particularly while in college living space.
“I would definitely encourage others to attend events hosted by the demo kitchen. The recipes they select for their food demos are always super easy to make for anyone with any level of cooking skills. Also, they select a variety of recipes to accommodate different living situations. For example, the recipe from this event doesn’t require any kitchen appliances and can be made in a dorm room! But they also have demos for recipes that utilize a stove or oven, which are perfect for students living in the apartments or quads. There’s really something for everyone,” Santangelo said.
Stawinski described her excitement for the next Demonstration Kitchen event. She plans on teaching another recipe, specifically that of a meal. Stawinski discussed her plans and details of the next event.
“The next demonstration is in February, and I am thinking of doing something that involves hearty cooking. Things like soup or meals that have many different vegetables are very comforting in the wintertime. These types of meals can be made in large or small batches and frozen for convenience,” Stawinski said.
